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Double
whammy for Memphis hoops |
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Wagner
opts for draft, McFadgon for transfer |
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| Dajuan Wagner (2),
the gem of Memphis coach John Calipari's highly-regarded 2001
recruiting class and a vital cog in the Tigers' NIT championship
run, has decided to make himself eligible for the NBA draft.
Photo: AP. |
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MEMPHIS, TN (AP) � Freshman guard Dajuan Wagner, who led Memphis to the
NIT championship last month, said Wednesday he will make himself eligible
for the NBA draft.
``This was a difficult decision; however my lifelong dream has been to
play in the NBA and I am anxious to begin my professional basketball
career,'' Wagner said. ``I am going to continue to attend classes and finish
the semester, as I promised my mother that I would get my degree.''
The 6-foot-3 Wagner averaged 21.2 points and shot 41 percent from the
field this season. He also averaged 3.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2
steals. Wagner was selected the MVP of the NIT, Memphis' first postseason
basketball championship.
Also Wednesday, Scooter McFadgon, the other starting guard for the
Tigers, said he will transfer out of the program.
Tigers coach John Calipari said he hates to see Wagner go, but supports
him.
``I agreed with Dajuan and his family,'' Calipari said. ``Looking at all
the factors involved, this is the time for this young man to take on all the
challenges of the NBA. It was a wonderful experience coaching Dajuan.''
Wagner, a projected lottery pick in the draft, was a high school
sensation in Camden, N.J., averaging over 40 points and scoring 100 in a
game as a senior.
He is the son of Milt Wagner, who played for Louisville's 1986 national
championship team and then for the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. Milt
Wagner is an assistant on Calipari's staff.
``Really, it was a hard decision because Dajuan was enjoying himself
here, and he felt like if he was to come back next year, we would have a
real, real good team,'' Milt Wagner said. ``But at the same time, we felt
that he would be a top lottery pick this year and it was the right
opportunity to go.''
McFadgon said his decision to transfer after two seasons had nothing to
do with his shooting struggles in February or Wagner's decision to leave.
``I felt like I wanted a change, and I feel like now is the time,''
McFadgon said. ``I've been wanting to do it for a (while). ... I just want
to go to a new city. This was not about basketball.''
McFadgon averaged 9.9 points as a sophomore, third on the team. He had
averaged 9.3 points as a freshman, and started 54 of the 70 games he played
at Memphis.
McFadgon has expressed interest in Tennessee, but has also asked that his
papers be sent to Florida State and Miami.
Calipari has said he will grant him a full release from his scholarship
obligations, which means McFadgon would only have to sit out one season at
another NCAA institution before gaining eligibility.
� 30 �
Copyright 2002
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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